Should I get Females @ petsmart?

[Bur01014]

Ok, so I am thinking of doing a 55 gallon peacock cichlid tank. I have a really nice LFS that has all the ones I would like, however, they aren't as cheap as....lets say petsmart. Would it be logical to get my males from the lfs, then go to my petsmart and pick out my peacock females......it seems that is all my petsmart ever has....dull female peacocks. If they do get a male, it is gone quick and probably a hybrid of some sort. Is this a good idea to save a couple bucks? Buy my nice quality males at an LFS that are juvi, but showing color, then pick up 2 females per male at petsmart or another big box?

[Mith]

Try it and see how they do. With fish, seems it's hard to know before you buy if they're going to live. You could always buy, then do preventative treatments IF they do have some disease or paracite...

[Lab_Rat]

If you're planning on breeding them I would not as the ones at the big box stores are likely hybrids. I would spend the extra cash to get pure species.

[Bur01014]

ya, you're right....thanks!

[rhonin]

Fish from Petsmart (or Petco or any larger chain store) are generally okay but I have learned the hard way to quarrantine them (I have a dedicated hospital tank) for a week or two before placing them into the general population.

I had a couple of disease incidents before I went the quarantine route.

With the cost of some of these rift cichlids it is a less expensive and less emotional option...

[hybridguy]

i would say about the same as everyone else, mostly just look at them very carefully make sure they are in great condition and you should be fine. Around here no one sales pure strain peacocks, i have a site that i am going to order from, i have heard they send great fish. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
they have an awesome variety!!:22:

[Bur01014]

ya [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] is actually located 5 minutes from my house....females range from 7-14 bucks, sometimes you can get two for the price of one. Keep ordering from them though, their males are awesome! They have a good return policy now too.....thanks for the advice!

[Deleted User]

Our PetCo's and PetSmart's in my area are GOOD, however, I am not sure I'd trust them either on pureness when it comes to their cichlids. I'd go the LFS route or order online from a reputable source.